Garment with Frontal Support System

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a garment including a rigid rear panel having a waist support belt attached to a lower end thereof. The garment also includes a pair of support straps connected between the rear panel and a pair of front panels operably connected to the rear panel. The straps, either by their construction or through an adjustment in the length of the straps, enables the weight of items positioned on the front panels can be shifted onto the hips of the individual and off of the shoulders, while the support belt is engaged around the waist of the individual, to increase the freedom of motion of the shoulders and to reduce fatigue.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/956,543, filed Aug. 17, 2007, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to garments, and more specifically to garments adapted to hold or support a number of items therein hat include a weight support mechanism to shift the weight on the items in the garment to different portion of the wearer's body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When performing an outdoor activity such as hunting or fishing, or in any other activities, oftentimes an individual is required to carry number of items on his person that are utilized in the performing the activity. In addition, oftentimes the individual performing the activity must also carry the results of the activity, such as fish or game the individual has procured.

In order to carry the required equipment and or procured items, normally a device of some sort is worn by the individual to provide the individual with additional locations in which the various items can be positioned to be carried. To be most effective, the garment must have a number of storage locations disposed about the entire garment to receive these items.

A number of different garments have been developed that provide these additional locations for items to be carried, such as backpacks and the like, that can be worn directly on the body of the individual.

However, while these garments have a number of locations are normally disposed at positions on the garment that are easily accessible by the individual when wearing the garment, oftentimes the weight of the items positioned within the locations is not evenly distributed across the entire garment. As a result, the garment can be uncomfortable for an individual to wear based on the distribution of the weight from the garment specifically on the shoulders of the individual.

As a significant improvement to items such as backpacks, there have developed garments that provide numerous locations for items to be positioned on the garment, but that also provides a system for shifting the positioning the weight of the items carried by the garment. This garment is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,255.

However, in the garment disclosed in the '255 patent, the system utilized for shifting the position of the weight is operates to move the weight of the garment form the lower back of the individual to the shoulders of the wearer. While enabling the weight to be more comfortably distributed on the wearer, this positioning of the weight by the adjustment system can limit or restrict the ability of the individual to move freely while wearing the garment because the system moves the weight onto the shoulder of the individual. Therefore the system disclosed in the '255 patent cannot shift or rotate the weight of the items around the body of the individual to equalize the weight of the items held by the garment around the body of the individual while maintaining the ability of the wearer to move freely.

As a result, it is desirable to develop a garment including a weight distribution system that is able to redistribute all or a portion of the weight of items held in the garment onto both front and rear portions of the body other than the shoulders to increase the freedom of movement of the shoulders and to reduce fatigue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a garment is provided that has a number of storage compartments on at least a front portion of the garment capable of holding a number of various types of items therein. In order to appropriately position the garment on the individual, the garment also includes a weight support mechanism integrated into the structure of the garment. The support mechanism is formed by a generally rigid support panel disposed on the rear of the garment, a waist belt connected to the rear panel and securable around the waist of the individual, and a pair of support straps connected between the rigid rear panel and the front of the government. The straps are secured between the front and rear of the garment in a location such that the straps pass beneath the shoulders of the individual that is wearing the garment. In addition, the straps can optionally be adjustable in length. This positioning of the straps allows the straps, either as a result of their construction or through an adjustment in their length, to shift the weight of the garment off of the shoulders and onto the front of the garment and individual, such as onto hips of the individual via the waist belt to more comfortably position the weight of the items held in the garment on the front and rear of the individual.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the garment including the adjustable support mechanism formed with the generally rigid support panel and the straps enable the weight to be shifted with regard to the individual in manner that enables the wearer to move his or her shoulders freely, due to the repositioning of the weight of the items held in the garment on the hips of the individual.

Numerous additional features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the present invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a garment constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the garment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the garment of FIG. 1 in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Within the scope of this application the term “rigid material” is defined as covering those materials capable of resisting bending of the material when an exterior force is applied to the material, such that materials that are capable of resisting a bending force, but that are not entirely rigid, are encompassed within the definition.

According to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the disclosure, a garment constructed according to the present invention is illustrated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1-3. The garment 10, which is preferably a vest, but can be formed as a jacket, coat, shirt, or any other garment suitable for wear on the torso of an individual, includes a pair of opposed front panels 12 and 14 that are each secured to opposite sides of a rear panel 16, though the garment can also be formed with only a single front panel, if desired. The rear panel 16 is generally rigid in construction, for a purpose to be described. The rear panel 16 can be formed entirely of a material that is generally rigid, or can be formed of a conventional fabric material that incorporates one or more stiffeners 17 into its construction, preferably on opposite sides of the rear panel 16, that provide the rigidity to the rear panel 16. The rear panel 16 or stiffeners 17 can be formed from any suitably rigid material, such as a metal or hard plastic, that resists bending, but that can also bend a certain amount prior to deforming and/or breaking. The stiffeners 17 can also be formed to be removable from within sleeves 17 a that can be open-ended or enclosed, and that are formed within the rear panel 16 to enable the stiffeners 17 to be replaced if broken or if it is desirable to insert stiffeners 17 having more or less rigidity to suit different purposes or individuals who will be wearing the garment 10. Further, in the embodiment where the rear panel 16 is formed of a rigid material, the panel 16 may still be covered or enclosed by a suitable fabric material (not shown) to provide the desired aesthetic qualities for the garment 10, and may also include suitable padding (not shown) to further enhance the wear-ability of the garment 10.

Opposite the rear panel 16, each front panel 12 and 14 includes one portion of a securing mechanism 18 that is designed to releasably connect the front panels 12 and 14 to one another to hold the garment 10 on the body of the individual. The securing mechanism 18 can be any conventional mechanism, such as a zipper closure or a snap closure, among others.

Additionally, each of the front panels 12 and 14 and the rear panel 16 include a number of storage pockets 20 thereon within which a variety of items (not shown) can be positioned. The pockets 20 can be formed in any desired shape in order to hold various types of items, or can be specifically shaped to hold particular items.

Looking now at FIG. 3, a support belt 22 is secured to the lower end of the rear panel 16 and includes a pair of outwardly extending arms 24 disposed on opposite sides of a central section 26. At the same point on the rear panel 16 that optionally includes the stiffeners 17, the central section 26 is secured to the rear panel 16 in any suitable manner, such as by stitching, adhesives, or mechanical fastening means, such that the support belt 22 can optionally be removable from the garment 10, such as for cleaning of the garment 10. Each arm 24 also includes a support insert 25 disposed within the interior of each arm 24 that is formed of a somewhat rigid material, such as a plastic material, to provide some rigidity to the arms 24. Each arm 24 also terminates in one half of a second securing mechanism 28 that are engageable with one another in order to secure the arms 24 of the belt 22 around the waist of an individual wearing the garment 10.

The garment 10 further includes an weight support mechanism 30 that is connected between the rear panel 16 and each of the front panels 12 and 14 on the interior of the garment 10. The support mechanism 30 includes a pair of straps 32 each fixed at one end 34 to the rear panel 16, and at the opposite end 36 to the respective front panel 12 or 14. The straps 32 are formed of any suitable material, such as a fabric material, such as cotton or nylon fabrics, among others. In the preferred embodiment for the rear panel 16 including the stiffeners 17, the end 34 is secured to the rear panel 16 in a manner similarly to that for the central section 26 of the belt 22, with the end 34 terminating on the rear panel 16 immediately adjacent the stiffeners 17. Further, the end 34 is positioned or secured to the rear panel 16 in a position that maintains the strap 32 in a location that extends beneath the shoulder of an individual wearing the garment 10, and preferably just below the arm of the individual wearing the garment 10 to form an arm opening 100 between the strap 32 and the garment 10, but most preferably without touching the arm of the individual. Also, while the straps 32 can be formed of a unitary piece of a suitable material, such as an inelastic or elastic fabric material, among others, in an alternative embodiment, the straps 32 can be formed with the ends 34 and 36 of the straps 32 constituting separate strap portions 34 and 36 that are secured to one another utilizing a buckle 38 or other suitable mechanism to enable the length of the strap portions 34 and 36 extending between the front panels 12 or 14 and the rear panel 16 to be adjusted. This adjustment enables the front panels 12 and 14 to be moved with regard to the rear panel 16, thereby shifting the position of the weight held by the garment 10 on the individual.

In operation, when an individual has put on the garment 10 and attached the securing mechanisms 18 and 28 to hold the garment 10 on the body of the individual, the individual can then position any number of items within the various storage pockets 20 disposed on the garment 10, and in particular on the front panels 12 and 14 of the garment 10. Once the items are located within the pockets 20, an individual can shift the weight exerted on the shoulders of the individual as a result of the positioning of the items in the pockets 20 on the garment 10 by adjusting the length of the straps 32 disposed on the interior of the garment 10. Because the position of the rear panel 16 is fixed with regard to the individual as a result of the rigid nature of the rear panel 16 and/or the stiffeners 17, and by both the attachment of the rear panel 16 to the belt 20, and the engagement of the belt 20 around the waist of the individual, by shortening or adjusting the length of the end 36 of each strap 32, the individual draws the front panels 12 and 14 and the items contained within the pockets 20 on the front panels 12 and 14 upwardly along the diagonal line of the straps 32 towards the rear panel 16 of the garment 10. The particular mode of operation of the support mechanism 30 is facilitated by the positioning of the straps 32 below the shoulders of the individual wearing the garment 10 and the belt 20, such that the garment 10 cannot simply rotate over or around the shoulders of the individual when the straps 32 are adjusted in length. In this manner, the weight of the items supported in the pockets 20 is transferred through the rear panel 16 to the waist belt 20, and the hips of the individual, thereby taking the weight off of the shoulders of the individual and consequently making the garment 10 rest more comfortably on the hips of the individual and reduce fatigue.

In addition, the ability of the mechanism 30 to shift the weight of the items in the pockets 20 and otherwise on the garment 10 onto the hips of the individual via the rear panel 16, stiffeners 17 and waist belt 20 provides increased range and freedom of motion of the shoulders of the individual. This is because the weight carried by the garment 10 is shifted to the hips of the individual via the straps 32, rear panel 16 or stiffeners 17, and the belt 22 along a path below the shoulders and arms of the individual, the weight rests on the rear panel 16 and/or the belt 20, which provides additional support as a result of its securement around the waist of the individual and the inserts 25, and does not pull downwardly on the shoulders of the wearer, allowing the shoulders to move freely within the garment 10.

In an alternative embodiment, the straps 32 can be formed from multiple sections (not shown) that extend upwardly along the same or differing angles between the front panel 12 or 14 and the rear panel 16, but are still adjustable to transfer the weight on the garment 10 over the shoulder of the individual to the rear panel 16 and waist belt 20 of the garment 10.

Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out in distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention. 

1. A garment comprising: a) at least one rigid rear panel; b) at least one front panel connected to the rear panel; and c) a support mechanism including at least one strap secured between the at least one rigid rear panel and the at least one front panel.
 2. The garment of claim 1 wherein the at least one strap is secured to the at least one rigid rear panel and the at least one front panel in a position to define an arm opening above the at least one strap.
 3. The garment of claim 1 wherein the at least one strap is adjustable in length
 4. The garment of claim 1 wherein the at least one rigid rear panel is engageable with a waist of a wearer.
 5. The garment of claim 4 further comprising a support belt secured to an interior surface of the at least one rigid rear panel that is engageable around the waist of the wearer.
 6. The garment of claim 5 wherein the support belt includes at least one rigid insert disposed within the support belt.
 7. The garment of claim 6 wherein the support belt includes a central portion secured to the at last one rigid rear panel and a pair of arms extending outwardly from opposite sides of the central portion, wherein the inserts are disposed within each of the pair of arms.
 8. The garment of claim 1 wherein the at least one rigid rear panel is formed of a plastic material.
 9. The garment of claim 1 wherein the at least one rigid rear panel is formed of at least one stiffener disposed within a rear section of the garment.
 10. The garment of claim 9 wherein the at least one stiffener is removably secured within the rear section of the garment.
 11. The garment of claim 9 wherein the at least one stiffener is disposed within a sleeve formed in the rear section of the garment.
 12. The garment of claim 1 wherein the at least one rigid rear panel forms a rear section of the garment.
 13. A garment comprising: a) at least one rigid rear panel formed of at least one stiffener disposed within a rear section of the garment; b) at least one front panel connected to the rear panel; and c) a support mechanism including at least one adjustable length strap secured between the at least one rigid rear panel and the at least one front panel, wherein the at least one strap is secured to the at least one rigid rear panel and the at least one front panel in a position to define an arm opening above the at least one strap.
 14. The garment of claim 13 wherein the at least one stiffener is removably secured within the rear section of the garment.
 15. The garment of claim 13 wherein the at least one stiffener is disposed within a sleeve formed in the rear section of the garment.
 16. The garment of claim 13 wherein the at least one stiffener forms the rear section of the garment.
 17. A garment comprising: a) at least one rigid rear panel engageable with a waist of a wearer, the at least one rigid rear panel formed as at least one stiffener disposed within a rear section of the garment; b) at least one front panel connected to the rear panel; and c) a support mechanism including at least one strap secured between the at least one rigid rear panel and the at least one front panel.
 18. The garment of claim 17 wherein the support belt includes at least one rigid insert disposed within the support belt.
 19. The garment of claim 18 wherein the support belt includes a central portion secured to the at least one rigid rear panel and a pair of arms extending outwardly from opposite sides of the central portion, wherein the inserts are disposed within each of the pair of arms. 